Organisers of the 69th National Cherry Festival have offered a huge welcome to festivalgoers ahead of Friday night's opening.
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There’ll be something for everyone according to Hilltops Tourism and Events manager Mel Ford, including entertainment, all things cherries, pip spitting and cherry pie eating competitions, street parade, cherry queen announcement, Friday night carnival and more.
All you need to know ahead of this year’s National Cherry Festival:
The Woolworths National Cherry Festival starts on Friday, November 30 and everyone is invited to take part in this event which will be held over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Pick up a program at Hilltops council offices, visitor centres and libraries.
Friday Street Carnival
Enjoy the Friday night entertainment in the town’s main street, with traders opening until late, and musicians including Sami Cook and Harry Cleverdon performing from 5.30pm to 9pm. Shop at your leisure, enjoy rides and amusements in Anderson Park and marvel at the fireworks show at 9pm.
READ ALSO: Road closures for the festival
Saturday Program
Saturday’s program features Farmers Markets and market stalls, live music, the cherry pie competition, massed pipes and drums spectacular and cherry queen coronation. There’s a Multicultural Fiesta at Captain Cook Weir, Advent Art exhibition and maze at St John’s Anglican Church, Christmas Tree com petition and displays at the Uniting and Anglican churches, art and photographic exhibitions and much more. The parade starts at 4pm with the queen coronation at 5pm.
Congratulations
The National Cherry Festival Queen and King competition always attracts amazing people, and this year is no exception. Congratulations to our two entrants Amelia Everdell and Clare Grantham for their contribution to the event, and the community this year. Both entrants have been wonderful ambassadors, and tireless workers. Well done.
Sunday Program
Why not breakfast in Anderson park on Sunday and enjoy the Bush Poets and Junior Bush Poets, Hawkesbury Working Kelpie demonstrations and try your hand in the Cherry pip Split at 10.30am. There’s plenty of music on the program too with Carols by Choirs at St Marys at 2pm, Grevillea String Quartet at St Johns at 4pm and the Hilltops Choir following at 6pm.
Orchard Attractions
The pick your own cherry experience is proving a big attraction for the region again this year with many orchards open and everyone looking for cherries to sample and take back home. There are also pick your own apricots and loquats at one orchard, and peaches and strawberries to buy too.
Wine Cellars
Local cellar doors expect an influx of visitors over the National Cherry Festival weekend too.
What else is on?
The Young Harness Racing Cherry Festival Cup is on at the Young Paceway on Friday, November 30 from 6pm.
Saturday, the Advent Art Exhibition and Film Showings, St John’s Hall and Grounds, Cloete Street, Young. 10am to 3pm. Contact 6382 1811.
Saturday, the Multicultural Fiesta, Captain Cook Weir, 11am to 2pm.
Daily till Sunday, the annual Cherry Festival Photographic Competition and Exhibition, First Floor Millards Centre.
Daily till Sunday, the 39th annual National Cherry Festival Competitive Art Exhibition, Town Hall.
